Midas HD96-AIR Quick Start Guide

Chapter 1: Introduction

Welcome to the HD96-AIR Digital Mixing System. The HD96-AIR is a Midas live sound experience designed for the modern live sound engineer. Based on the flagship HD96-24, the HD96-AIR delivers Midas' new approach to mixing with uncompromising sonic quality.

New features include large touchscreen control, multi-touch gesture control with widget-style areas, and the Midas mCloud system for managing system duties. This guide will help you familiarize yourself with the console layout, system setup, and basic functions.

About This Guide: This Quick Start Guide (QSG) is for professional engineers (FOH and MON) with prior experience in audio equipment. For full details, refer to the HD96-AIR Owner's Manual on midasconsoles.com.

System Firmware Version: Ensure the latest firmware is installed. Updates are available via Midas mCloud (cloud.midasconsoles.com) or midasconsoles.com.

HD96-AIR Touchscreen: WARNING: Do not place or operate the HD96-AIR in direct sunlight, as the screen may become unresponsive and hot.

Warranty and Registration: The product comes with a 1-year warranty, extendable to 3 years by registering within 90 days via Midas mCloud.

Service and Support: Support is available via Midas mCloud or the Midas service team.

Commonly Used Terms and Definitions:

• GUI: Graphic User Interface or Touchscreen.
• Channel: Any input or output (Aux, Matrix, Masters).
• Path: Any input or output, VCA, or Master.
• POPulation Group: Group of channels to bring or recall paths to the touchscreen.
• Contributions: Any path contributing to an output bus.
• Touch: Pressing the touchscreen to select a function.
• Select: Same as Touch.
• Pinch: Two fingers squeezed together to adjust equalizer width (Q).
• Swipe: Moving a page by pressing, holding, and moving.
• Press-and-Hold: Select all paths on a page for multiple editing or engage critical functions.
• Widget: A window or various windows displaying information on the GUI.
• Workflow: Visualizes the activities needed to mix audio.
• Pot: Physical control for adjusting a level or value (potentiometer).

Chapter 2: HD96-AIR Overview

Unpacking the equipment: Save packing materials. Inspect for damage. Notify the carrier immediately if damage is found.

Introducing the HD96-AIR Digital Mixing System: Building on the success of the XL8 and PRO Series, the HD96-AIR offers the power and processing of the HD96-24 in a smaller, portable package. It features a 21" touchscreen with multi-touch gesture control (up to 10 simultaneous touches), 144 simultaneous flexi inputs, and 123 time-aligned, phase-coherent busses. True 96 kHz sampling frequency and 64-bit floating point processing ensure exemplary audio quality. The system utilizes Klark Teknik HyperMAC and SuperMAC networking technologies for low-latency audio distribution, offering up to 617 inputs and 616 outputs.

The HD96-AIR includes 24 VCA groups and 24 POP groups, with advanced touchscreen navigation, 3 physical faders, and assignable controls for an enhanced mixing experience.

Applications:

The HD96-AIR is suitable for various applications including:

• Live sound touring (FOH or MON)
• Live sound theatre (FOH or MON)
• Live sound house of worship (FOH or MON)
• Live Performance Broadcast Mixing

System Busses:

The HD96-AIR offers comprehensive system busses:

• 2 Stereo Solo busses: Routable from all locations.
• 3 Master busses: 1 stereo, 1 mono, routable from inputs and 96 Aux busses.
• 24 Matrix busses: Routable from inputs, 96 Aux busses, and 3 Master busses.
• 96 Aux busses: Standard or flexi-aux, routable from inputs or flexi-aux bus to aux bus.

All bus routings provide simultaneous and time-aligned mixing. Flexi-aux busses allow group mixing for stems or processing. Aux busses can operate post-channel fader and pan for sub-group mixing.

Mix Matrix:

The Mix Matrix defines the console's capability, analogous to an analogue console layout where inputs run vertically and busses horizontally. It specifies the number of busses and simultaneously mixable inputs per bus.

Diagram illustrating capability:

Inputs:

• Direct Bus Inputs
• 24 Matrix Busses
• Flexi-Aux Busses up to 96
• Aux Busses up to 96

Outputs:

• 3 Master Busses
• Bus Outputs

Chapter 3: Before You Start

Principles of Operation:

Control surface operation uses colors and groups for easier channel management. The surface features customizable controls including 8 rotary knobs, 24 assignable buttons, and 3 dynamic fader strips.

The HD96-AIR surface can be expanded with HD96-FB16 fader bay units.

Hints and Tips:

• Frequently check the Console View screen for an overview of I/O status.
• Use the Manchino (Multi Edit) page for setting user-defined levels and routing for multiple inputs/outputs.

User Journey:

On first boot, select Country/Region. Connect to the Internet for mCloud benefits and follow prompts to set up your mCloud account.

Setting up a User Profile: User Profiles store console setup and user information. Each user can have their own profile, with data stored on the console and via mCloud.

User Login Screen: Displays current profile, options to change user, log in to mCloud, use Safe Mode (no show database), activate lock screen, and shutdown.

Saving Your Work:

Regularly save work to mCloud and a USB stick. Understand the difference between saving a show (copies show file to SD card or mCloud) and storing a scene (saves current system settings to the show file).

Chapter 4: About the Control Surface

The HD96-AIR is designed for a rapid workflow with flexible surface controls in a compact form factor. The aluminum and carbon fiber chassis ensures light weight and strength. It houses the full DSP and Control system, powered by dual redundant power supplies.

The large capacitive touchscreen offers customizable information display and gesture control (pinch, swipe) for faster parameter manipulation. The GUI is designed for color-blind accessibility.

Control surface layout:

The surface is divided into 8 distinct areas for quick and precise operation:

1. METERS: 4 x 20 segment meters for Master and Monitor Bus.
2. ASSIGNABLE CONTROLS: 8 x user-assignable rotary controls and buttons.
3. CHANNEL FADER BANK: 3 x assignable channel strips with Mute, LCD display, and Select/Solo button, plus a 100 mm motorized fader.
4. USB PORT: USB Type A for storage devices.
5. TALK GAIN: Controls gain for the talk input and TALK button.
6. PHONES: Headphone Level control and MUTE switch.
7. GLOBAL ASSIGNABLE SHORTCUTS: 24 x Assignable buttons with 12 LCD displays.
8. GLOBAL ASSIGNABLE SHORTCUTS L/R: Left/Right paging buttons for assignable button layers.

Rear Panel Connections:

1. LOCAL FIXED I/O: 8 XLR mic inputs and line outputs, switchable to AES3.
2. TALK: Input for talk mic, with gain control on the surface.
3. SNAKE: Dual Snake (HyperMAC) ports for audio streams, configurable for Copper or Fibre.
4. WORD CLOCK: Input (IN) and output (OUT) BNC connectors for synchronization.
5. MIDI IN/OUT: 5-pin MIDI DIN connectors.
6. LAMP: 12 V DC 4-pin lamp connector.
7. AC POWER: Dual-redundant AC inlet connectors with power switches.
8. HDMI: Dual HDMI outputs for monitor duplication or second screen access.
9. ETHERNET: RJ45 connector for network connection.
10. MODULE: Dual CM-1 expansion slots for modules (MADI, DANTE, USB, AES50).
11. AES50 PORTS: 4 AES50 (SuperMAC) ports for audio streams.
12. USB HUB: 4 x USB ports for storage devices.
13. FADER PORT: 4 x USB ports for storage devices or fader bay expansion units.
14. WIRELESS MODULE: Removable USB WiFi and Bluetooth module with external antenna.

Chapter 5: System Setup

Racking the I/O:

Ensure racks provide adequate shock protection and ventilation. Midas I/O units draw air from the front and expel through the rear. Maintain clearance at the rear for cables and secure cables with lacing bars and ties.

Connection instructions:

Two connection methods:

1. HD96-AIR surface to Klark Teknik DN9680 via Copper or Fibre, then DN9680 to I/O box via Shielded CAT5E.
2. HD96-AIR surface direct to I/O via Shielded CAT5E.

Use only STP Shielded CAT5E cables. Ensure continuity of the shield on both ends for ESD protection.

System components:

Compatible I/O components include DL231, DL151, DL152, DL153, DL154, DL155, DL251, DL252, and DL431. I/O boxes require updating via the console's Update Manager. Ensure unique ID numbers for units within the same family.

Chapter 6: HD96-AIR Dimensions

Dimensions: Height: 199.23 mm (7.8436"), Width: 805.82 mm (31.7250"), Depth: 434.98 mm (17.1251").

To power up the system:

1. Ensure speaker systems are muted.
2. Plug mains cables into IEC sockets on the rear.
3. Turn on both AC POWER switches. The surface will boot up.

To switch off the HD96-AIR surface:

1. Save any required shows, scenes, or settings.
2. In the GUI, select Menu, then press-and-hold the red SHUTDOWN button until the shutdown procedure initiates.
3. Once the screen indicates it is safe, turn off both AC power switches.

Specifications

Connections:

• Analogue / AES3 in, switchable: 8 x 3-pin XLR
• Analogue / AES3 out, switchable: 8 x 3-pin XLR
• AES50: 4 x RJ45
• Word clock 75R: 2 x BNC
• Talk: 1 x XLR, balanced
• HDMI 1/2 (monitor output): 2 x HDMI
• External (Ethernet) connector: RJ45
• Snake 1/2: 2 x optical, 2 x copper
• USB port (service): 2 x micro-USB
• USB (top panel): 8 x USB 3.0, type A, 5 V = 900 mA power; 1 x USB 2.0, type A, 5 V = 500 mA power
• Expansion: 2 x expansion module slots
• MIDI in/out: 2 x 5-pin MIDI DIN sockets
• Lamp: 4-pin, 12 VDC/150 mA max
• IEC mains socket with power switch: 2
• Headphone output (side panel): 1 x 1/4" TRS, stereo

Controls:

• 100 mm motorized faders: 3
• Fully assignable rotary controls: 8
• Fully assignable backlit buttons: 8
• Phones controls: Min to max, mutable
• Talk gain: Min to max
• Global assignable shortcut buttons: 24
• Global assignable shortcut buttons (left/right): 2

Power:

• Switch-mode power supply: 2 x auto-ranging 100-240 V (50/60 Hz)
• Power consumption: 220 W typical, 2 x 350W Max

Physical:

• Dimensions (H x W x D): 210.5 x 464.5 x 805.8 mm (8.3 x 18.3 x 31.7")
• Weight without flight case: 16.74 kg (36.83 lbs)
• Weight with flight case: 29.90 kg (65.78 lbs)
• Operating temperature range: 5°C to 45° C (41° F - 113° F)
• Storage temperature range: -20°C to 60°C (-4°F - 140°F)

Input/Output Characteristics:

• Analogue input impedance: 10 KΩ
• Non-clip maximum input level: +24 dBu
• Input gain: Analogue stepped gain -2.5 dB to +45 dB, plus -40 dB to +20 dB continuous digital trim
• Phantom power (switchable per input): +48 V
• Talk mic impedance: 5 KΩ
• Talk mic gain: +15 dB to +60 dB
• Talk mic max level: +6 dBu
• Analogue output impedance: 50 Ω
• Analogue output max level: +21 dBu
• Dynamic range: 106 dB, 22 Hz to 22 kHz, unweighted
• Crosstalk @ 1 kHz: -100 dB (physically adjacent input channels)
• Crosstalk @ 10 kHz: -90 dB (physically adjacent input channels)
• Headphones output impedance: 10 Ω
• Headphones maximum output level: +21 dBu

Displays:

• Display screen: 21" LCD high brightness, 1920 x 1080 px, capacitive touchscreen up to 10 simultaneous touches
• LCD info displays: 15 x full color LCD info displays, 24 mm x 24 mm, 240 x 240 px
• Meters: 4 x 20 segment -36 dBu to +21 dBu